Mount Fuji Sets Record for Latest Snowless Peak in 130 Years

Mount Fuji has officially marked the latest date in recorded history without snow, raising concerns about climate impact and weather patterns.

Mount Fuji, Japan's tallest peak standing at 3,776 meters (12,460 feet), has appeared bare of snow later into the year than ever before, with records indicating it has survived without its seasonal snow cap longer than at any time since observations began 130 years ago. Typically, the mountain sees its first snow by early October, but this year’s unusually warm conditions have delayed snowfall, with the first dusting not occurring until October 5, as reported by various news sources.

The summer of 2023 was among the hottest on record for Japan, witnessing average temperatures from June to August soar by 1.76 degrees Celsius (35.1 degrees Fahrenheit) above the norm. This warmth carried into September, driven by the subtropical jet stream's unusual positioning, leading to warmer air from the south prevailing over the region. In September alone, the Japan Meteorological Society recorded nearly 1,500 instances of "extremely hot" days, where temperatures reached or surpassed 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit).

While October has witnessed a slight cooling trend, temperatures remain above average, which has contributed to the mountain's persistent lack of snow. As of late October, the absence of snow marks a new record for the latest date of snow presence on Mount Fuji since records were originally compiled in 1894. Previous years recorded the season's first snow on October 26—specifically in 1955 and again in 2016—indicating a significant shift in the region's climatic behavior this year, highlighted by Yutaka Katsuta, a forecaster with the Kofu Local Meteorological Office.

Mount Fuji is a prominent cultural symbol in Japan and plays a vital role in local tourism, with over 220,000 climbers venturing to the summit between July and September last year. However, the lack of snow raises questions about ecological changes and potential future impacts on tourism and local ecosystems, as the volcano, which last erupted over 300 years ago, continues to capture imaginations both in modern and traditional Japanese art forms.